A New Decade: Letting Go of The Past and Grasping The Future

Someone once told me that they believe that everyone goes through life in cycles. Some of the cycles are good, some not so good. I pictured that more like the peaks and valley kind of thing and they agreed it was a lot like that. They went on to explain that the "valleys" and "peaks" or cycles were believed to last in increments of ten; albeit, ten days, ten weeks, ten months or ten years. Not happy where you are at? Wait it out...the next cycle will come....in due time.

I have not thought about that concept for a long time, and this week I was reminded that maybe there was something to that. At least, for me, I am going to focus on a new beginning tomorrow. A decade of being in the valley is far too long and I am hopeful that a brighter peak is right around the corner. After all, I have done my valley time....a decade worth and expect to see more happier times in the future.

I thought about this last decade of my life that just seems to have happened with me not even present. Where has the 10 years gone, and how did I let so much sadness rob me of 10 years of my life? Ten years filled with incredible loss, heartache, grief, guilt, adjustments, and so many other things that left me feeling totally out of control and unable to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't get me wrong, there were a few bright spots along the way, but for the most part, it has been an incredible hard ten years. Ten years in the valley...it is time for some better days.

I have always felt that things get much worse before they get better, and this year has been very difficult. Not too many know of my struggles,it is very hard to share those kinds of things, but finally, I had the courage to get some help and I do feel lots better. It has been so difficult to say the least. Guilty for thinking I have no reason to feel the way I do, and helpless to change how I feel or try to just push forward. I had hit a wall, and there was no more pushing forward. I was stuck and had no way or knowledge of how to make things shift in the direction I wanted to go.

So looking back on my ten year cycle that has been very dark and hard for me, I feel like I was able to see a little bit of light at the end of these 10 years. It is time for brighter tomorrows and making the most of the next decade in my life. I can't go back and get the last ten years back, or change things that happened, or react any differently than what I did during the most difficult of times, but there is a future and I feel like things will be better.

I have learned that no one experiences perfection in their lives, they may only let others see the great things about themselves and their lives, but deep down, everyone has things that are hard for them. They may choose to not talk about them, for what ever reason, but I don't believe perfect exists. Life in and of itself is a challenge everyday, difficult things happen as well as the best of times. We just have to push forward and expect good times to follow the hard times.

This is the first year I am not making New Years Resolutions. I have decided to start off fresh, and to follow my bliss. Whatever or wherever that will lead me. Because finding what it is that turns your life upside down with happiness can only lead to a life filled with no regrets. And no regrets for me, speaks of less time in the valley.

I would like to encourage anyone going through a difficult time, that it will pass, just hang on. Hopefully, it won't last for a ten year span as mine has, but you certainly can expect to see a few peaks after such difficulty. Remember, if things get too bad, it is not your fault, seek help, it makes a difference. Of course, nothing is magic and makes the difficult things go away, but it does help cope with those types of things a little easier. Just don't give up. And remember, you are never too old to follow your heart and find your bliss. That is a lesson I am learning.

Happy New Year to myself and all my friends. Remember if you feel no one would understand your troubles or how you feel, shoot me an email, because I just bet I would be able to relate. Reach out to someone you trust, they won't judge you if they truly love you, we all need to try to keep each other on top of the mountain. Now, Let's make 2011 the best year yet.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Advice for Modern Times in 2011

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

With the start of the new year, here is some advice from folks who lived through the Great Depression, and it is good sound advice for our modern times. Maybe you can take a piece of this information and apply it for the new year. I myself intend to do just that.

Soup line during the Great Depression.

1.Save a dollar for every dollar you spend. I’m a big believer in the Pay-As-You-Go rule, but if you allow more cash to go out of your door than goes under your mattress, you’re asking for trouble.

2. New doesn’t automatically mean better. New this and shiny that may get you a lot of attention and give you a feeling of importance, but new stuff usually costs more than old stuff. Slightly used, gently used, or just plain used will often to the job.

3. Be thankful for what you have. All of us have complained about eating leftovers when we didn’t want to or complained about eating the same thing three times a week, but there are quite a few people in this world that might not know where the next meal will come from. Just be thankful you have what you have … if you have it.

4. Learn how to fix/maintain what you have. Nothing can be more frustrating than having a piece of machinery, whether it be your car or your laptop, that you rely upon, paid good money for, and have to pay someone to repair it. Eliminating the need for the repairman will save you countless hours and dollars over the years.

5. Waste not, want not! If you’re discarding a substantial portion of what you bought (or made yourself), you’re essentially throwing money in the garbage can. Either cut back on what you’re making, or find ways to reuse it at a later date.

6. Make cheap food taste like a million bucks. I probably violate this suggestion most of all because I’m a wannabe chef, but during my college years, my food budget rarely exceeded $100 per month. Learning how to make good eats on the cheap will save you thousands per year if you can learn a few cooking basics.

7. Don’t pay what you can do/make for yourself. It seems like an odd question to ask, but why would you pay someone to do something that you can do for yourself. I understand that we’re all super busy and we may not be an expert in everything that modern society pushes upon us, but thanks to the Internet (praise be Google!), you can find a DIY video for almost anything on your Honey Do List.

8. Preparation can keep you from being blown off course. Many times during your life you’ll face some type of adversity. The more prepared you are to handle it, the better off you’ll be at weathering the storm. As the old adage goes: you can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!

9. Family time is fun time. I’m one of the least social members of my family, but nothing beats a classic game of Monopoly with the folks. This weekend happened to be catching up over baseball games on TV and lots of hanging out in the kitchen. Funny how positive social interactions work aren’t they?

10. Make your big purchases off season. One of my cardinal rules of shopping (which I loathe to do) is buy most of my winter clothing in April. This way, the retailers are desperate just to break even on their investment and clear the excess inventory to make way for Spring/Summer months. This works equally well when buying summer clothing in November.

11. Marry someone who complements your weak points. No this doesn’t mean someone who will say “good job” each time you do a good deed. Not that kind of compliment. In a complementary relationship, your strong suits will make up for your companion’s weaknesses and vice versa. In the end, the marriage is stronger than the two individuals!

12. Exchange time, skills or service as currency. If you know how to play the piano and your neighbors want their kid to learn to play piano, find something they have that you want.


13. Learn to preserve and store food. Even if you’re not into growing your own food, it never hurts to buy in bulk and keep it frozen for a few months.

Community gardens during the Great Depression

14. Start a garden and pay yourself for growing your own food. Why pay a grocery store for food that you can grow yourself? Many people these days are under the false impression that gardening is too difficult to try and best left to the hippies and hillbillies. Hardly the case since Michelle Obama and started a victory garden on White House grounds.

15. Credit cards are the devil. If you tell my Grandma that you bought her Christmas present on credit, you better hope you got your fill of pumpkin pie prior to opening gifts. Chances are, she’ll cut you off and give you a 10 minute lecture from Proverbs. Most old school consumers won’t even think about buying something unless they pay in cash.

16. Patience is a virtue. Be patient, save your pennies, and wait until they turn to dollars. Paying cash is the only way to go. I admit, this doesn’t translate well to 2009, but if you can rely upon your debit card more than your credit card, you’re on the right path.

17. Work hard, and work often. My family wasn’t exactly the affluent type back in the day, so I’m glad to have some of that blue collar mentality rubbed off on me. I never really understood what it meant to say “I built that” or “I made that from scratch” when I was a kid, but I certainly learned what those phrases meant once I became a bit older.

18. At the end of the day, think how to make tomorrow a little better. This phrase is fairly common, but it’s been sitting on my grandfather’s antique desk for as long as I can remember. Probably longer than I’ve been alive. But to me, it’s a testament to how both of grandparents lived their lives. Over time, little improvements add up a lot quicker than you think.

19. Envy is still a sin. Even though I’m the blaspheming evolutionist of the family, it doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to sound advice. Believe it or not, the Bible has really good tips on debt avoidance and the “debt is slavery” principle.

20. Speak convincingly and be a leader. We all know a hierarchy exists in most families, and if that happens to be you, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Even if you hurt a few feelings here and there, they’re family and they’ll eventually forgive you.

Signs from the Great Depression

Remember, these tips are coming from a 75 year old so the advice may not transfer all that well to modern times, but only a (young) fool would ignore someone that has accumulated a lifetime of worthwhile knowledge.

article originally found here.

Happy New Year Everyone....I am looking forward to the new year and lots of vintage goodness!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Christmas Greeting

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

Today, I want to show you some pages from a vintage little book I showed you in the past. This is a repeat post from 2008, but the message is true still this year. This is perfect for wishing Christmas Cheer.


C hildren's delight on this wonderful day
H elps give it meaning in a bright friendly way.
R apturous hearts with joy overflowing
I mpart to each person warm inner glowing.
S eason of love is this time to remember
T hat night long ago of dazzling splendor.
M emories bright as the evergreen tree
A ll come alive for you and for me.
S uch is the essence of Christmas.
~Gail O Clark




I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone is safe with their travels, surrounded by those you love, and has a chance to rest up a bit!! Once again, Merry Christmas and may all your dreams come true.

Secret Santa Soriee UPDATED Post with Pictures

 Here are the updated photos for what I sent my Secret Santa.....this time no eggnog was involved!!!! Merry Christmas Secret Santa!!!!


It is that time of year again, and time for shopping for my secret Santa. I participated again this year in this swap hosted by Decisionally Challenged Blog. It is really great fun...this year, there seemed to be a bit of a mishap, and here is the story told by Toby the Penguin. I hope my blogging friends don't think too badly of me after they read this very exaggerated story.

Hi, I'm Toby, and I am the first gift Coloradolady purchased for her Secret Santa. So I have been around for all of the excitement. Oh, the shopping part was so much fun, we had a grand time, and I was even impressed Coloradolady took some of my advice on the gifts.


However, there was a bit of a mishap when we went to have a photo shoot of the loot. See, that was part of the rules, Coloradolady had to take photos of what she was gifting to her Secret Santa....its all about the giving after all...not the receiving, so that is the focus this year.

Anyway, it was time to take the pictures and wrap. So Coloradolady was watching White Christmas and getting all in the wrapping mood, when she remembered on a whim, she purchased some eggnog as she wanted to try it because she had never had it in her entire life. I warned her not to do it, but she waved me off and said it was the holidays....and guess what?? She liked the eggnog a little too much......spiked eggnog????? We did not break the rules, we did take the photos.....but Coloradolady also had a bit too much eggnog.......anyway, here are the gifts for Coloradolady's Secret Santa partner. And I  am not sorry to say, that at least the photos of myself were not too bad!!
 

Her swap partner stated she liked things with her initial.....so we found something that was really cute.

 This is more like it.....my secret santa got a journal, and initial note cards. The heart necklace was wrapped as a Birthday surprise since her birthday is Sat. (I made the necklace)

Her swap partner also stated she liked girly things...well, that was not hard to find a few girly things to send.

 This photo is for the next mishap photo too, since my secret santa liked girly things, she got nail polish, emery boards, raisers and lip stick. Hope the shades were right.

Some things have a bit of pink in them....hopefully that will be OK...but they are girly.

Coloradolady's secret santa partner had lots of choices on her list.....and we found exactly some of the things she added to the list. Is that funnel not the cutest thing???

 My secret santa said she loved Kors by Michael Kors and could not find it...well, I had a heck of a time, but the internet was my friend. I found these vials of the perfume and it came with a spray bottle and little funnel. I sure hope this put a smile on her face.

Her partner also collected a few things.....we found a twist on one of the collections.

 I found these barn star ornaments and thought they were perfect for my friend.....I think they are so cute. And she did state she liked barn stars.

My idea was everyone needs a little comfort for the long cold months ahead.....it is perfect for that.

 And because my secret santa lives where it is cold all winter and she might need to snuggle and treat herself to a little relaxation, I made her this afghan to snuggle with on  a long winters day. The door holder is jingle bells that will let her know when and if her kids are trying to sneak out!!!

We shopped and shopped, and Colorado even made a few things for her partner.....on a girly sorta way.

(this photo is of the necklace above)

Her friend said her favorite color was green......now I argued she did not say lime green, but Colorado again waved me off.....I promise this was all a result of too much eggnog and Christmas  cheer. I am insisting on a new photo shoot, so check back this week for a do-over!! 

 And because my partner has wiener dogs like myself....we could not forget them...Toby loved snoopy right away, so we sent this toy!! Merry Christmas secret friend!!!!!!

Merry Christmas to my swap partner, don't pay too much attention to what Toby had to say, I think this penguin is exaggerating what really happened.....but I will attempt a do-over and rectify this little mishap on my post today later this week.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Christmas in Sewing Room

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

I'd like to show you my tree that I have in my sewing room, it is surrounded with lots of vintage goodies. It makes it so fun to go into this room and look at all my vintage Christmas treasures.

 The vintage suitcases make a great table for the tree and its goodies underneath.

 Here is a close up of vintage tablecloths, napkins, aprons and hankies.

 That sweet little box was a gift from my Secret Santa, Deborah last year.....I just love it!

A vintage quilt flimsy serves as the tree skirt, with a few vintage treasures that mean a lot to me. Time is marching on, and one more week until Christmas....next week, I hope to show you a few more Christmas treasures.

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!! Have a great week.

A quilty Update!!

It has been a while since I posted about any quilting going on around here, don't get the wrong idea, there has been a lot of sewing but not a lot of showing. The Holidays you know :)

I decided to join in on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt titled Roll Roll, Cotton Boll....and it has been great fun. I have finished the first three steps and the fourth step was released today. These pictures are just a few of the blocks for each step. It is not too late to catch up on this mystery quilt if you'd like to give it a try. It is a scrappy quilt...you know the ones....just scrappy goodness!

I really like the idea of a mystery. If I see a completed picture and it looks complicated, well, I often...um....all the time tell myself I can not do it.

With a mystery, you only work on one part at a time and have no idea what is coming around the corner, so I don't have time to doubt myself too much.

This string piecing was really a challenge at first, but now I am loving this technique. I am sure there will be more string blocks for 2011.

I have been working on last minute gifts that I all of a sudden thought I needed to do.....you know, because as a rule, I have nothing else to do!!! I have a couple of quilts expected back from the quilter and I need to bind them and add the label and finish up these last minute things....then, I am all done.....with the homemade gifts. I am ashamed to say I have not purchased a single gift yet....my sewing machine has been to much fun lately.......I must get busy!!

What about you?? Are you all done with your shopping and only need to wrap, or are you like me, and have not even started??

Vintage Thingie Thursday: "Old Time Remedy"

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.


This week, I am going to post a "Old Time" Remedy for a bad cough....I did have to try this out and it works. I am sorta not feeling too good this week, so I am totally cheating on my post. Hopefully, I will be feeling better next week.

VICKS Vapor Rub - INTERESTING

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it.

Some of us have used Vicks VapoRub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as I found out
personally), put Vicks VapoRub generously on the soles of your feet, cover with socks, and the heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.

Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong
prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly.

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemicals in them This method of using Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet was found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bed time. In addition it seems to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

I have tried this myself and can attest that it works and unbelievably well. I have had a persistent dry cough that is worse at night, I decided what did I have to lose, so I tried it, and after about 5 minutes, the coughing stopped and did not return...all night.

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be amazed at how it works.

DON'T SHUN THIS ONE.. TRY IT THE NEXT TIME YOU GET A BAD COLD. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN LOSE IS YOUR COUGH..

Twenty-Four Years Ago

Twenty four years ago today, I was being admitted to the hospital to have my second baby. I had no idea if it was a girl or boy, but today was the day....24 years ago. To make a long story short, due to the fact my first birth was a piece of cake...I insisted NO Anesthesia was needed the second go around. I was a rock star you see. Until reality set in....and well it was too late. In-case you forgot...I only have two children....there is a reason for that.

Today, 24 years ago, my sweet baby girl came into my world and nothing has ever been the same since. Not for me, not for her brother, not for her daddy. We went through years of crying fits....over snacks at pre-school she did not want to eat, kindergarten graduation she did not want to attend, dance lessons she decided she did not want to take, going to mothers day out, fighting with "best friends", breaking up with boyfriends, stressing and crying over grades, doctor and dentist visits....yep, we have seen it all.....and guess what? We just held her hand and made her do all of these things kicking and screaming and crying......it was good for her after all. But somewhere along the way we left the tears behind and put on new and different faces.

Ahem....did I mention my baby girl is 24 years old today??? Such a grown up face, so mature, so adult like.....at least there are no more tears....only smiles and giggles and silly faces most of the time.

Baby girl, your mean ole mommy made you do all of the things you did not want to because it was good for you. It would have been much easier to let you stay home and play and not have to make you cry when that was really what you wanted to do all along.  I'd like to think that dragging you all those years crying and pitching a fit maybe did some good after all. You have grown into a beautiful women and I am so very proud of you and love you with all my heart. Always be true to yourself because that is what is so special about you.

Happy Birthday Alisha......may this next year hold nothing but happiness for you and lots of great opportunities. You make us so very proud. ~ Love you, Mom, Dad and Jeff.



PS I don't think the contestants on Cake Boss have to worry about me stealing their spot in the new Cake Challenge to have a spot in Buddy's shop....just sayin' !!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Disney

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

This week, I'd like to show you some of my vintage Disney items. I love these and hope you enjoy seeing them.


Now this first item is very dear to my heart. This is a baby spoon and fork set with adorable Mickey and Minnie Mouse. My grandmother told me that it belonged to my father. I can remember as a very young girl, I would always look at this set in her silverware drawer. For some reason, they always intrigued me. I don't really remember using them, I just liked the way they looked. She eventually gave them to me, and I have treasured them ever since.

To tell you the truth, honestly, I love them for the memories they represent. Memories of getting up very early in the morning and being in the kitchen while my "memaw" made breakfast, and me pestering her about the spoon and fork. I like the fact that they were my dad's but that is really not important to me, because as a child I could never imagine him using these at all! For some reason, that just did not seem to fit with my dad. This little spoon and fork represent a beloved time spent with my grandmother in her kitchen. They are truly a family treasure, just like the memories I have of my dear grandmother.

From what I found out on the Internet these date back to the 1930's. My dad was born in 1938, so that fits. The 4.25" "Mickey Mouse" fork shows Mickey walking w/one hand waving in the air. The 4" "Minnie Mouse" spoon shows her full figure also w/one hand waving in the air. Back of each reads "Fairfield Silver Plate."

Sorry, I did not polish these little jewels, but I think you can see the graphics on the spoon much better the way they are.
I really love the old vintage Mickey and Minnie, they are so cute.
Now this is the a picture I found off the Internet. This is the original box they would have came in, and I am sure increasing the value. Very neat. I just wanted to show you how great this is in the original box. I don't have the box that they originally came in, but that is OK, I have wonderful memories instead of sifting through a silverware drawer in my grandmothers kitchen and being fascinated by them. You can not put a price tag on memories like that.

Oh, and here is my little spoon and fork set with a Disney Donald Duck cup from my own childhood. I was born in the 1960's so I would date this back to that time. I love this as well. Donald is so cute. The bottom of the cup is stamped "The Disney Collection, Japan". Lot's of milk was sipped out of this cup. I'm glad that after forty something years, this cup is still in fairly good shape.

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday everyone!!! Have a great week.